A Rush Of Blood To The Head

08/27/2002 11:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Chris Morris

The album Parachutes and single "Yellow" were some of the most irresistible ear candy of 2000, and the rookies of the year have returned with an equally palatable, if slightly steelier, sophomore collection.

Here and there, as on the album opener "Politik," with its seesawing major/minor crash of guitars, the London-bred group displays a hitherto unheard tendency toward truly rocking out. But the majority of the album won't ruffle those who were captivated by Coldplay's acute melodic acumen, which remains the band's greatest strength. Tracks like "Daylight," the acoustic-based "Green Eyes," and the set-closing "Amsterdam" will all appeal to those still jaundiced from the group's initial hit. Front man Chris Martin continues to mature vocally, and keeps his soaring Thom Yorke-style swoon in check for most of the proceedings. In all, a very tastefully crafted, tuneful, and affecting piece of work with a band that is still just beginning to tap its enormous potential.